Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a Water Resource Engineer with 5+ years of experience to join our Southeast team, focusing on freshwater restoration design, permitting, and project management. This is a full-time, salaried, overtime-exempt position based in Florida, with opportunities for hybrid work after onboarding and supervisor approval. As part of a 100% employee-owned firm, you’ll work within a multidisciplinary team committed to innovative environmental solutions and professional growth.
What You'll Do
- Lead, manage, and assist with the preparation of freshwater resources analyses, reports, designs, permit applications, construction drawings, technical specifications, and other project documentation.
- Lead, manage, or participate in topographic, geologic, natural resource, and related field data collection to support engineering analysis and design.
- Collaborate with engineers, ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, numerical modelers, landscape architects, biologists, and other specialists in advancing restoration approaches and other project solutions from concept to implementation.
- Provide mentorship and support for more junior staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance while working on projects together.
- Demonstrate understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the development of design and permitting documents in accordance with applicable guidelines and requirements, while delivering assignments within budget and schedule.
- Demonstrate solid writing skills and excellent oral and presentation skills while participating in and/or leading client and agency meetings, and marketing tasks including preparing scopes of work and budgets for proposals or contract negotiations, providing technical input, and participating in interviews or industry conferences.
- Manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working as a team or independently.
- Live in Florida and be available for occasional travel to project sites, industry conferences, and team collaboration events.
- Perform other ad hoc tasks as needed.
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years of professional experience with an emphasis on freshwater restoration design within the southeastern United States, preferably Florida.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in civil or environmental engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Professionally licensed engineer (PE).
- Must be willing and able to obtain a Florida Professional Engineer's license within 12 months of hire if not already licensed in Florida.
- Experience in designing moderately complex freshwater restoration projects, including water control structures, ditch blocks, low water crossings, weirs, seepage swales, and grading, as well as rehabilitation/repair of water control structures.
- Experience preparing design plans for a variety of projects and knowledge of state and federal regulations related to implementation, permitting, or monitoring of water resource projects.
- Experience preparing technical specifications, engineer opinion of probable costs, and construction bid packages.
- Experience performing field inspections of existing water control structures and evaluation of existing water control system designs in freshwater, riverine, or tidal systems (Florida experience preferred).
- Ability to gather data, perform analyses, prepare reports, and communicate results, including working closely with colleagues in related fields.
- Proficiency in Microsoft tools, design and mapping software such as AutoCAD, ArcGIS, or others.
- Experience with stormwater hydrology and hydraulic modeling (e.g., SWMM, WWHM, TRUST, HEC-RAS, ICPR).
- Effective communication skills to foster teamwork, inclusion, and knowledge sharing with junior staff through mentoring and direct supervision.
- Proactive identification and constructive contribution to address project or team issues to foster collaboration.
- Ability to present information clearly and speak persuasively about complex topics to clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders, and the general public.
- Ability to work independently from Florida offices and perform field visits through Florida, Alabama, and other states as project needs arise.
- Enjoy fieldwork and be able to walk long distances carrying a backpack; able to lift at least 50 pounds.
- Confident working outside in remote and rural settings, as well as urban environments.
- Ability to work in all types of weather, traverse uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks.
- Tolerance for inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions.
- Availability for some early morning, late night, and/or weekend work, as well as long hours when required.
- Must hold a valid driver's license with a clean DMV record.
Nice to Have
- Proficiency in hydrodynamic and water quality numerical simulation modeling and analyses (e.g., Princeton Ocean Model, EFDC, CH3D, WASP, CE-QUAL-ICM, CE-QUAL-W2, QUAL2K) in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and/or coastal areas.
- Highly skilled in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
- Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and Hydro Tools.
- Familiarity with the Florida ecosystem.
- Experience with performing construction observations.
- Experience with surveying and field data collection.
- Experience in performing drainage design for Department of Transportation projects.
- Skilled in identification of vegetation and/or soils.
- Knowledge of preparing scope and fee proposals.
- Experience leading, managing, mentoring, and/or supervising multidisciplinary teams, including delegating and guiding junior-level staff through simple to complex tasks.
- Certified or trained boat operator.
Technical Stack
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- ArcGIS Pro
- Hydro Tools
- SWMM
- WWHM
- TRUST
- HEC-RAS
- ICPR
- Princeton Ocean Model
- EFDC
- CH3D
- WASP
- CE-QUAL-ICM
- CE-QUAL-W2
- QUAL2K
Team & Environment
Join a multidisciplinary team of engineers, ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, numerical modelers, landscape architects, biologists, and other specialists as part of ESA’s national Engineering Hydrology & Design (EH&D) group. With 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States, our teams collaborate nationally while maintaining local expertise. This role reports to a supervisor and thrives in a culture built on mutual respect, inclusion, and creative problem-solving.
Benefits & Compensation
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for employee and family)
- Annual allocations of company shares through ESOP
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Tuition reimbursement
- Professional development bonuses
- Attendance at conferences
- Support for furthering technical expertise, sharpening business acumen, or leading the next generation of employee-owners
Salaried (full-time, overtime-exempt) position with annual equity allocations via ESOP, 401(k) match, and professional development bonuses.
Work Mode
Hybrid role based in Florida with office locations in Tampa, FL and Orlando, FL. Remote candidates may be considered. Hybrid remote working may be considered after onboarding and job training, with proven performance and supervisor approval. Must be able to work from Florida offices and travel as needed.
ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)
